Do you have experience with getting a VA rating for brachioradial pruritus?

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 15:39:17 -0400

My arms have been itching in specific spots at random times for no apparent reason and with no change to their appearance. I looked it up and concluded that it's brachioradial pruritus, a condition caused by damage to the cervical spine. I have a VA rating for this damage already, and I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this situation. I have an appointment with my VA clinic next week, when I'll discuss this condition.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Oct 11 at 2021 3:40 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 15:40:26 -0400

I can't edit my post, but I wanted to add that the itching is severe at times, and cost me hours of sleep last night.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Oct 11 at 2021 4:13 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 16:13:01 -0400

SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" the comment from the below Brig Gen is absolutely disgusting!

Response by Patricia Overmeyer made Oct 11 at 2021 5:53 PM

Patricia Overmeyer — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 17:53:46 -0400

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA: I personally have never had any experience with the VA rating for this since I'm just a mere family member, but I've worked with veterans on obtaining VA ratings. I do know that there are several conditions which result from spinal cord injuries and that are somewhat like what amputees experience with phantom pain/phantom itch. It will depend on your particular VA medical doctor to actually understand the condition. There was a period of time where phantom pain/itch was not considered to be real so amputees were considered to be mentally ill (DSM diagnosis specifically for phantom pain/itch). Thankfully medical advancements proved it actually is part of the nervous system so we aren't psychologically impaired. Same thing with spinal cord injury phantom pain/itch. The medical advancements also took that out of the DSM.
I have a couple of friends who deal with various phantom pains that emanate from their spinal cord injury. Took a while for their doctors to finally figure out exactly where it came from within the spinal cord itself. I'm not sure if they were able to obtain a rating for their phantom pains. You would actually need to see a medical doctor who specializes in spinal cord injuries as most doctors don't see or understand these types of issues. If there isn't one at the VA, then you have to go to a private doctor who specializes in spinal cord injuries to document the issue, then take that back to the VA. Good luck!

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Oct 11 at 2021 6:20 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 18:20:40 -0400

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA I recommend contacting your VSO. If this new condition is secondary to an already rated condition, it’s simply a matter of a form and the medical documentation to confirm the connection.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2021 6:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 18:49:21 -0400

So that's what is causing my itching. I wonder if that is what caused the searing pain I had in one arm. It felt like it was being sawed off. The VA said it was nothing. Yes my spine is messed up from C-1 to S-1.